Chapter 225: Punching Bag Ezra

The battle had become increasingly brutal.

Kelvina’s sword carved through the cavern, each swing producing a shockwave that shattered stone. Across from her, the A-Rank Werefang fought with everything it had, its claws moving so quickly that they became blurs.

CLANG!

Kelvina blocked one strike.

BOOM!

She was forced backward. The draconic projection behind her roared, and a wave of energy surged through her body.

Kelvina’s grin widened.

"Again."

The Werefang lunged; She met it head-on.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the cavern, Perry was fighting the second A-Rank. Flames covered his entire body. His dark-orange hair burned like a living torch as he exchanged attacks with the Werefang.

BOOOOOOM!

A pillar of fire erupted between them. The Werefang burst through it; Perry raised his arm. The monster’s claws slammed into him.

BANG!

Perry was driven backward, but he dug his feet into the ground. Then his flames exploded.

WHOOOOOOOSH!

The Werefang was engulfed, but it didn’t fall. Instead, the creature emerged from the flames, its wounds already beginning to close.

Perry’s expression hardened. "They’re healing."

Kelvina glanced toward him.

"I noticed."

The third A-Rank Werefang stood several dozen meters away. It wasn’t fighting. It was watching.

Its golden eyes remained fixed on the two battles while energy continuously flowed through the cavern.

The source was obvious: the ancient Oracle. Every few seconds, a pulse of energy traveled through the stone.

The Werefangs absorbed it, their muscles expanded, their wounds closed, and their strength increased. Kelvina suddenly felt the difference.

Her sword collided with the Werefang’s claws.

BOOM!

She was thrown backward. Her boots scraped across the stone.

"It got stronger."

Perry’s flames flickered.

"So did mine."

"They are no longer A-Ranks!"

The Werefang attacked again; Kelvina barely blocked.

CRACK!

Her sword bent slightly, causing her eyes to widen.

"That’s annoying."

The monster’s other claw came toward her face; she twisted aside. The claws grazed her cheek, causing blood to appear. Kelvina’s grin disappeared.

The Werefang roared and charged.

At the same time, Perry’s opponent broke through his flames and slammed him into the cavern wall. The stone collapsed, dust and gravel filling the place. ℯℯ𝑙.

Perry coughed, while his flames weakened. The Oracle’s energy pulsed again, and both Werefangs grew stronger. It was draining them to feed the Werefangs, making them stronger, while they got weaker.

Kelvina tightened her grip. Perry slowly stood. The situation had changed. They were being overwhelmed. But before any side could clash again, something happened.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Something crashed into the cavern ceiling, causing the entire underground chamber to shake violently. Everyone froze, while a massive section of stone collapsed. The impact was so violent that dozens of Werefangs near the entrance were caught in the blast.

WHAAAAAAAAAM!

Bodies were torn apart, blood sprayed across the cavern walls, and chunks of flesh were thrown through the air. Some Werefangs didn’t even have time to scream before the impact reduced them to meat and crimson mist.

Kelvina’s eyes widened, Perry’s flames flickered, and even the three A-Ranks stopped. The rest of the team stopped fighting as they noticed the new presence, their expressions lightening up.

Dust swallowed the entire chamber. For several seconds, nothing could be seen. Then footsteps echoed through the darkness.

The dust slowly began to settle, revealing a figure standing in the enormous crater. Purple light illuminated the cavern, showing their appearance: Ezra.

His body was completely different from before. Purple rings covered him, from head to toe. They revolved around his arms, legs, torso, and even his head, moving at different speeds.

His purple hair floated slightly despite the lack of wind, and his eyes were calm, almost emotionless.

Kelvina stared, shock evident on her face. She was seeing him serious for the first time, and what was with those rings? What exactly was his ability?!

"Ezra?"

Ezra looked toward her.

"You’re alive."

Kelvina’s eyebrow twitched. "That’s your greeting?"

He glanced around.

"I was expecting worse."

"You took your time." Perry wiped blood from his mouth.

Ezra looked at him. "I had to find you."

The third A-Rank Werefang suddenly roared. Ezra turned just in time as the creature charged.

BOOM!

"Ezra!" Kelvina shouted.

The Werefang crossed the distance instantly, and its fist came down, but Ezra didn’t move, unlike what everyone expected.

WHAM!

The fist struck his chest, causing the cavern to shake. Ezra remained standing. There was no blood on him- no broken bones. Not even a scratch. The purple rings around his body brightened.

The Werefang stared, and Ezra stared back. The creature roared again and attacked more ferociously.

BAM!

Another punch.

BOOM!

Another.

CRACK!

Another.

The Werefang’s fists became a blur, hitting Ezra, but he just stood there. Punch after punch slammed into him, but his body didn’t budge. The purple rings continued to glow brighter.

Kelvina’s expression slowly changed, while Perry’s eyes narrowed.

"He’s..."

"Not defending himself," Kelvina finished.

The Werefang struck Ezra’s stomach.

BOOOOOOM!

Nothing.

Another punch to his jaw.

BANG!

Nothing.

A claw tore toward his chest.

SLASH!

Nothing. Not a single wound appeared. Instead, every attack seemed to make the purple rings surrounding Ezra brighter.

The Werefang began slowing, as its breathing became heavier. Ezra finally spoke.

"Are you finished?"

The monster roared and attacked again. Its fist struck Ezra’s face.

BOOM!

Ezra’s head barely moved, while one of the purple rings suddenly expanded. The Werefang’s expression changed.

The Oracle felt it too.

Deep within the cavern, its ancient consciousness suddenly recognized what was happening. Its voice echoed throughout the chamber.

"STOP!"

The Werefang froze for half a second. The Oracle’s voice became frantic.

"RETREAT!"

But it was too late. Ezra’s hand moved with a speed that wasn’t logically possible in the concept of possible logics. He grabbed the Werefang by the throat, his fingers closing around it fully.

The monster’s feet immediately left the ground. Its enormous body hung from Ezra’s single hand. For the first time, the creature looked afraid.

Ezra’s purple rings became blinding. The Oracle fell silent.

Ezra looked directly into the Werefang’s golden eyes and smiled... maliciously.

"Now it’s my turn."